Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler will be named NBA’s Most Improved Player, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
Butler had a sensational season, going from a starting role player to an NBA All-Star. He was Chicago’s most consistent player and improved his scoring drastically.
Butler’s averages went from 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 39.7 percent shooting from the field and 28.3 percent from behind the arc last season, to 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 46.2 percent shooting and 37.8 percent from three-point range this season.
With those significant improvements, Butler is truly deserving of the award. The 25-year old out of Marquette helped the Bulls achieve the third best record in the East at 50-32 and has become one of the best two-way shooting guards in the league.
Butler’s play has given the Bulls the permanent scoring guard they had been looking for in years past.
Other players who were strong candidates for this award include the likes of Draymond Green, Hassan Whiteside, and Rudy Gobert.
An official announcement should come later this week, possibly before Game 3 on Friday in Chicago.